About 40 citizens came out to a public information meeting this week put on by Stockwell Sand and Gravel to talk about the proposed concrete batch plant in East Porpoise Bay.
Questions and concerns over noise, dust and water came up repeatedly during the April 23 meeting at the Blue Heron Restaurant.
Owner Bill Stockwell fielded some questions, while the proposed builder of the plant, Horst Blattman, also gave out information.
“What is the decibel level that will come from the plant?” one woman asked.
Stockwell answered it would be no louder than a vacuum cleaner running outside.
Another citizen wondered how wash water would be kept out of streams and nearby waterways.
Stockwell noted it would be recirculated through an onsite pond that is fed by rainwater. He added the company holds a licence on a nearby creek if the pond needs to be topped up.
The issue of dust was brought up, with some worrying the batch plant would increase the amount of dust on the roadways and in the air in the neighbourhood.
Blattman explained that the vacuum system on the plant would significantly reduce any dust issues, adding it would not be very loud because it would use an electric fan.
Residents at the public information meeting seemed content with the answers given, but an upcoming public hearing (scheduled past press time on Thursday) promised more debate on the proposal. Coast Reporter will have a full update on the public hearing in the May 4 edition.
